The H1N1 flu virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Officials said Wednesday it's the first known case of the virus to be diagnosed in a cat. Veterinarians said the virus has also been confirmed in two ferrets, one in Oregon and the other in Nebraska.

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The 13-year-old cat was treated in Ames and is recovering.

"We were able to do a very specific test that confirmed H1N1 in this cat," said veterinarian Dr. Al Jergens.

The veterinarian who treated the cat, Dr. Brett Sponseller, said two of the three people in the same house had flu-like symptoms before the cat became ill.

Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill, said IDPH Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Ann Garvey. This is not completely unexpected, as other strains of influenza have been found in cats in the past.

Both the cat and its owners have recovered from their illnesses, officials said. The cat has been getting IV fluids and antibiotics and has improved 80 to 85 percent.

The case was confirmed at both Iowa State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sponseller said the flu is known to spread from humans to pets, but this is the first confirmed case of H1N1 flu to spread to a cat.

Officials said pet owners can keep their pets healthy by washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and minimizing contact with their pets while ill with influenza-like symptoms. If your pet exhibits signs of a respiratory illness, contact your veterinarian.

Indoor pets that live in close proximity to someone who has been sick are at risk and it is wise to monitor their health to ensure they arent showing signs of illness, said Dr. David Schmitt, State Veterinarian for Iowa. Doctors also recommended segregating sick animals from healthy ones in order to avoid spreading the virus.

Experts said there is little to no risk to dogs getting sick with the virus.

"Dogs do get an influenza virus but the virus is different than the H1N1 that's been confirmed in humans and what we were able to confirm in this particular cat," Jergens said.

Doctors said there's currently no vaccine available that would provide adequate protection for pets.